2004 Prerelease

I've been using SolidWorks since early 2000 and have never fully
understood the point of the "Prerelease". Is this sort of the final
Beta version that is offered to the masses just to catch that last
little scurrying bug that the Beta testers couldn't stomp? With the
latest Beta testing for 2004 is there really a need for a Prerelease
since the program is so widespread? Should the Prerelease not be uised
for production work because it is considered a Beta version? I know
officially only SP0 is supported for production use, but has anyone in
the past been burned by using a Beta or Prerelease version for
production work?
I assume that if you use the Beta or PR and create or use some feature
that is dropped in SP0 that you could run into trouble, but what other
issues could arise?
I know that most will say wait for SP0, but I'd really like to make
use of some new functionality ASAP.

 

The file may not be readable in the final where it was fine in the PR. Never
use any beta or PR for production, you could get hosed on it. It's better to
be safe than sorry.

Regards,
Scott

 

you'd have to be a brave soul to use SP0 of anything for production work....

 

I have always downloaded and used the pre-release versions as soon as they
were available. I will say I've treaded lightly however, and ALWAYS make a
backup of my data before diving in. I have yet to be disappointed or
"burned" by any pre-release version (or any version for that matter). The
chance to use new functionality is too tempting for me to wait. I say go for
it!

Richard Doyle

 

Richard,

thanks for the encouragement! I'm looking forward to the new release
also.
I just found out that SPR 175526 will not be addressed in SWX2003 but
the Beta2 version completely RESOLVES THIS ISSUE.

for those of you who don't know Richard here are some links:

http://mechengineer.com/snug/

The founding members of the SolidWorks National Users Group Committee

Phil Sluder - (Southwestern Region)
Richard Doyle - (Southern Region)
Mark Peters - (Midwestern Region)
Michelle Pillers - (Northwestern Region)
Mark Semmel - (Eastern Region)



http://www.ctsug.org/ Central Texas Solidworkds Users Group
Formed in September, 1999, the Central Texas SolidWorks User Group was
Texas' first independent user group. Our membership includes users
from San Marcos to Georgetown and all points in-between.

Richard Doyle - Event Coordinator (All-Texas Solidworks User
Conference) All three years 2001, 2002, & 2003
P.O. Box 144032
Austin, Texas 78714
Phone: (512)576-8361
email:


I have always downloaded and used the pre-release versions as soon as
they
were available. I will say I've treaded lightly however, and ALWAYS
make a
backup of my data before diving in. I have yet to be disappointed or
"burned" by any pre-release version (or any version for that matter).
The
chance to use new functionality is too tempting for me to wait. I say
go for
it!

Richard Doyle

 

Hi all!

where can i get a pre-release version of sw 2004?

thanks in advance!